Beauty

The secret benefits of mineral waters

Beauty

The secret benefits of mineral waters

For a long time in North America, the notion of bathing in mineral waters for health and beauty held about as much appeal as vibrating electric belts and exercise corsets. The 1994 film The Road to Wellville, which parodied breakfast-cereal tycoon Dr. John Harvey Kellogg's attempts to introduce early-20th-century Americans to spa culture, pretty much summed up the overriding Protestant sense of propriety governing our ablutions. With the growing number of skin-care products made exclusively with mineral waters, claiming to soften and calm mildly to severely irritated skin, cosmetics companies are hoping to change all that.

Rise upMineral waters start as rain. When runoff seeps below the surface of the earth, it can remain there for up to 40 years, picking up beneficial trace elements from layers of ancient rock before journeying back up to the surface at temperatures as high as 45°C. Most cosmetics are made with demineralized tap water, but thermal water for products is collected directly at the source -- without being artificially processed -- maintaining its original beneficial properties. The waters from different regions can be as complex and varied as wines, their mineral compositions directly reflecting the geological makeup of the site. For example, in Vichy, France, the waters are particularly high in sodium bicarbonate, while the springs at La Roche-Posay -- more than 300 kilometres away -- are rich in selenium.

What your skin says about you"Our skin tends to get irritable, losing its ability to protect itself and maintain moisture for a number of reasons," says Nella Arangio, a spa specialist and consultant at Aveda and Civello Salon-Spa. Stress, diet, lifestyle and weather all play a role. "The body is constantly using water for cellular metabolism, maturation and function, but that rate slows down if you're highly stressed," says Arangio. "Also, if you're eating high-sodium foods, your body dehydrates even more, just as it does from too much caffeine and alcohol consumption. And when you look at people's lifestyles today -- you're in your car with the heat on, then in the office -- the hot and cold extremes of going to and from home and work further dehydrate skin." While Europeans have been using mineral waters for skin healing for centuries, many Canadians remain skeptical of their benefits. "I still find that a lot of North Americans don't believe in the waters because they like to see fast results," says Faouzi Berradia, medical relations and national training manager for Vichy Laboratoires in Canada. "In France, people suffering from skin irritation and sensitivity can spend several weeks at a time at the Vichy springs." Donna Cook, marketing coordinator for the Canadian Rockies Hot Springs in Banff, Alta., agrees. "I occasionally get calls from Europeans asking to book an appointment with the spa doctor, but we don't have one," she says. "They still subscribe to the therapeutic benefits of soaking in mineral waters -- not just for the muscles but for the skin, too. European spas also cater to a broader range of health concerns. I guess it comes down to cultural differences in how we look at health and well-being."

Spring into actionSince the Renaissance, doctors have been documenting the health benefits of thermal waters, recognizing the effect of each mineral on the skin and recommending treatments for patients suffering from serious dermatoses. An online PubMed search turns up scores of articles by French and Italian dermatologists documenting the benefits of thermal waters as a natural, therapeutic alternative in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Ingredients like selenium, abundant in the thermal waters of La Roche-Posay, boost the immune system, helping to fight off infection and suppress the skin eruptions that are associated with these inflammatory conditions. And the high concentration of mineral salts in Vichy waters can help with the regeneration of skin cells after reconstructive or plastic surgery. In serious cases like these, however, the products alone are not enough; full immersion in a non-chlorinated mineral pool is recommended.

Calm downMultiple factors -- anything from stress to pollution -- can break down the skin's barrier function, undermining its ability to fulfill a protective role. When the skin's permeability and surface micro-circulation are compromised, redness and sensitivity set in. "The magnesium, calcium and potassium in many thermal-water products have positively charged molecules that exchange with enzymes in the skin to help reduce inflammation and sensitivity," says Berradia. Thermal spa water also reduces heat and inflammation, creating a cooling sensation in the body. "When your body becomes inflamed internally from high stress levels, it starts to show up on the skin as blotchiness, acne, hives, eczema or psoriasis," says Arangio.

Dry spellStudies have shown that dry skin is not only short on fatty acids and nutrients, but it also has an imbalance of minerals. Copper, zinc and magnesium -- present in every skin layer and essential to skin's hydration -- are depleted in the natural process of cell renewal. Thermal-water products return these moisture-binding minerals to the skin, slowing down the natural evaporation process and helping to hold water in the deeper layers of the epidermis. The neutral pH of mineral waters helps to improve exchanges between the cells by strengthening their membranes so the skin's balance is restored.

Tone downIf you get afternoon shine, it's likely that your lifestyle, diet or stress has created an imbalance. "This is where toners and misting sprays come into play," says Arangio. "A spritz of remineralizing mist or a dab or two of mattifying toner can quickly absorb the oil. And you can do this throughout the day without having to wash off your makeup." The zinc content in sprays and toners has a seboregulating effect, while mineral salts soothe, soften and protect against bacteria. (Salt is a natural antibacterial.)

Free-radical fightersThermal waters reinforce our skin's natural defence system. Studies have shown that Vichy waters can significantly raise the activity of catalase, a powerful detoxifier and cutaneous enzyme in the body that defends against free radicals -- the main cause of skin aging. The waters have a protective effect, helping to defend the body from ultraviolet radiation, as well as the environmental and internal oxidizing agents responsible for free-radical formation.

Hair

Ronda Rousey has a major beauty contract

In the '80s, Pantene released a campaign with model Kelly LeBrock asking people, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful." (See below for that commercial in all its glory.) Now, the hair brand has updated the phrase for 2016, partnering with mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey to tell women, "Don't hate me because I'm strong."

“I’m fully aware that I might not be the first person people think of to collaborate with a beauty brand," says Rousey. "I’ve been called ‘Miss Man’ and ‘savage’ because of my physique, but to me, strength isn’t only about having muscles. It’s about having heart and finding inner confidence, so I’m honored that Pantene asked me to be part of their new campaign that encourages women to break gender barriers, break the glass ceiling and never settle.”

Movies & TV

NSFW: The new 50 Shades: Darker trailer is here

Movies & TV

NSFW: The new 50 Shades: Darker trailer is here

There are two types of people in the world: Those who can watch this 50 Shades Darker trailer with a straight face, and those who can't.

With no judgement either way, here's the brand new teaser for Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson's second round as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, featuring masquerade costumes, helicopters, and approximately one shirtless Jamie Dornan per second. As you might expect from an R-rated film things get NSFW pretty quickly, FYI.

8 fashion brands every minimalist will love

Shopping

8 fashion brands every minimalist will love

Although Alessandro Michele makes a compelling case for more-is-more, some of us will always be drawn to restrained, clean designs. These labels are proving that minimal style doesn't have to boring or unimaginative.

For those of you who prefer your bikini free of palm fronds and hibiscus blooms, there's Aussie brand Matteau Swim, known for basic maillots and high-waisted swim bottoms in a palette of black, grey and white.

Launched this year by Catherine Holstein, Khaite is a balance of the masculine and feminine. Fans of the capsule wardrobe concept will find that pieces in the line, from structured shirt dresses to fitted denim, compliment one another perfectly.

Alnea Farahbella's label Toit Volant is made in the USA with a commitment to sustainable sourcing and manufacturing practices. The pre-spring 2017 collection is full of reworked takes on shirting, like this striped jumpsuit with a high collar.

This Montreal-based label keeps production local (the clothes are sewn in Montreal and some of the fabrics are printed in North America) and its ethos is similar to most of the other brands in this list: to let the individual add personality to the clothes.

Another L.A. brand with a dedication to North American manufacturing and sustainability, 5-year-old Shaina Mote is known for architectural, un-adorned basics and fluid silhouettes. If you could live your life without ever donning a polka dot or cheery stripe, the neutral colours in this line are made for you.

Founded by Tokyo-to-L.A. transplants Alexander Yamaguchi and Momoko Suzuki, brand Black Crane is an edgier, more street-wise take on minimalism – think cocoon dresses and wrap trousers with subtle origami and kimono inspiration.

Celebrity

Rihanna is over people creating a competition between her and Beyoncé

The Rihanna Navy and the Beyhive have been on not-so-friendly terms on social media following the announcement of the 2017 Grammy Awards nominations.

Although RiRi expressed gratitude for her whopping eight nods, the Navy felt that she was snubbed after Anti didn't receive a nom for Album of the Year over Beyoncé's Lemonade. Naturally, Bey's fans wasted no time in coming to the defence of their Queen.

But Rihanna quickly cleared things up on the 'gram, commenting on a fan's photo, "I'm petty af, yes. But this is just unnecessary! I wish y'all would drop this topic and see things from the bigger picture! We don't need to be putting black women against each other! We deserve to be celebrated and the Grammy Academy agrees!"